Park Geun Hye on Kim Jong Un
TL;DR
Park Geun Hye's stance was characterized by a hardline approach demanding North Korea forsake provocations before engaging in substantive dialogue.
Key Points
She explicitly stated in 2012 a willingness to meet Kim Jong Un if it helped foster South-North relations.
Her administration closed the Kaesong Industrial Complex in February 2016 over concerns the funds supported Kim Jong Un's weapons development.
North Korea threatened the death penalty against the former president in June 2017 over an alleged plot to assassinate Kim Jong Un.
Summary
Park Geun Hye maintained a fundamentally tough stance toward the regime led by Kim Jong Un, emphasizing national security as the prerequisite for any inter-Korean progress. During her presidency, she advocated for a policy that moved beyond past patterns of both appeasement and uncompromising hardline postures, preferring a more balanced approach termed “Trustpolitik.” However, this strategy ultimately hinged on North Korea forswearing provocations and becoming a responsible member of the international community, particularly regarding its nuclear weapons development program. Her administration demonstrated this firmness by closing the jointly-run Kaesong Industrial Complex, claiming funds were being diverted to Kim Jong Un's weapons programs, and supporting the deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in response to escalating threats.
Despite her initial willingness to meet the North Korean leader if it fostered relations, the persistent threat from Kim Jong Un's continued nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches consistently reinforced the need for deterrence. Her policy framework prioritized strengthening the South Korea/U.S. alliance and implementing strong international sanctions to neutralize Pyongyang's threats. Notably, as her presidency neared its end and amid scandal, one of her unifying speeches conspicuously omitted any mention of Kim Jong Un, suggesting a political calculation or shift in focus away from direct engagement with the leader.
Key Quotes
If it helps to foster South-North relations, I will also meet with the North Korean leader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Park Geun Hye's core stance was predicated on deterrence and demanding reciprocal trust-building from the North. She believed that North Korea must cease provocations and fulfill its international obligations before any significant positive steps in relations could be taken. This was encapsulated in her 'Trustpolitik' framework.
She expressed a willingness to meet with the North Korean leader as part of her broader engagement policy, provided that North Korea's promises were honored. However, her actions, such as closing the Kaesong complex, demonstrated that the threat posed by the regime often superseded the desire for direct dialogue.
In response to the escalating threats from the North Korean leader's continued testing, she advocated for a strong punitive approach alongside her allies. This included defending the decision to deploy the THAAD missile defense system to bolster deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile capabilities.
Sources6
South Korean President Takes Tough Stand Against North
North Korea threatens South's ex-leader with death over 'plot to kill Kim'
Park’s Ouster Raises Prospect of Reset With China, Kim Jong Un
No Time to Fumble with North Korea: Park Geun-hye's Multiple Pivots
Park Geun-hye on North-South relations
South Korea president leaves out Kim Jong Un in unification speech
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.